On January 23, Yemeni journalist, activist, and World Movement participant Tawakul Karman was arrested along with 18 civic leaders and human rights actvists after leading rallies at Sanaa University and calling on President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down. She was released the following day. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Tawakul was participating in a 10-day-long wave of protests that were in part inspired by the recent Tunisian protests that led to the president’s ouster on January 14. She has vowed to continue demonstrating against the government and is calling on authorities to release the remaining detained demonstrators.

 

In its “Defending Civil Society” report, the World Movement addresses freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, and articulates six principles for protecting civil society. The third principle states, “Stemming from the well-recognized protection of individuals to freedom of assembly, NGO representatives have the right to plan and/or engage in the advocacy of legal aims, including human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

 

World Movement participants are encouraged to send letters of concern to the President of Yemen addressing Tawakul’s and the other demonstrators’ arrests. See contact information for President Ali Abdullah Saleh below:

 

His Excellency Ali Abdullah Saleh

Office of the President of the Republic of Yemen

Sana’a

Republic of Yemen

Fax: +967 1 274 147

Salutation: Your Excellency

 

For more information on Tawakul’s arrest, go to: http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE70N1EV20110124 and http://en.rsf.org/yemen-woman-journalist-and-activist-is-23-01-2011,39378.html

 

For more information about demonstrations in the Middle East and North Africa, go to: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/01/yemen-jordan-albania-algeria-tunisia-egypt-protests.html and www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/363935,egypt-protest-summary.html